Machine-readable finding aid created by Judith Garner as MS Word document, May 2002. Finding aid was encoded by Marvin Rusinek on April 22, 2011. Description is in English.

Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, is the nation’s oldest synagogue. The Jewish community of Newport was founded in 1658 by a small group of Sephardic Jews seeking religious freedom. In 1758, Isaac Touro, a Dutch Jew, became the community’s spiritual leader. Shortly after, the congregation purchased land and hired Peter Harrison to design the Synagogue. The building was dedicated in 1763, and has continued to serve Newport’s Jewish community. This collection consists of addresses, annual reports, correspondence, board meeting minutes, articles and newspaper clippings concerning the synagogue, as well as publications, a calendar, dedication pamphlets, postcards, slides, negatives, a scrapbook and invitations to miscellaneous events. Most of these materials are secondary and were collected by staff at the American Jewish Historical Society. For original records, please contact the Newport Historical Society.

Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, is the nation's oldest synagogue. The Jewish community of Newport was founded in 1658 by a small group of Sephardic Jews seeking religious freedom. In 1758, Isaac Touro, a Dutch Jew, became the community's spiritual leader. Shortly after, the congregation purchased land and hired Peter Harrison to design the Synagogue. The building was dedicated in 1763, and since then, has continued to serve Newport's Jewish community.

This collection consists of addresses, annual reports, correspondence, board meeting minutes, articles and newspaper clippings concerning the synagogue, as well as publications, a calendar, dedication pamphlets, postcards, slides, negatives, a scrapbook and invitations to miscellaneous events. Also included are the anniversary souvenir journals, promotional brochures, balance sheets and the following publications: "Newport Jewish News Items," "Touro Monthly" and "Update." In box 2, folder 7, there is a facsimile reproduction of George Washington's 1790 letter to the synagogue. Most of these materials are secondary and were collected by staff at the American Jewish Historical Society. For original records, please contact the Newport Historical Society.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open to all researchers by permission of the Director of Library and Archives of the American Jewish Historical Society,
except items that are restricted due to their fragility.

Use Restrictions

Information concerning the literary rights may be obtained from the Director of Library and Archives of the American Jewish Historical Society. Users must apply in writing for permission to quote, reproduce or otherwise publish manuscript materials found in this collection. For more information contact:
American Jewish Historical Society, Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY, 10011email:
reference@ajhs.org